Lala Star is a self-fertile sweet cherry from Bologna, Italy that delivers an exceptionally rich taste with remarkably high sugar content at 20 brix. These large, deep red cherries are notably resistant to rain cracking, a trait that sets them apart from many traditional varieties and ensures a reliable harvest even in humid conditions. Hardy in zones 5 through 7, this semi-spur variety produces heavily and thrives in both heat and humidity, making it a standout choice for gardeners seeking a productive, flavorful cherry that performs where others might struggle.
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Lala Star brings Italian heritage to the home orchard with fruit so sweet and rich that it excels fresh, baked, or preserved. The 20 brix sugar content puts it in the top tier for cherry flavor intensity. What truly distinguishes this variety is its exceptional rain-crack resistance combined with reliable, heavy productivity from a semi-spur growth habit, meaning you'll get consistent abundant harvests rather than the unpredictable yields many cherry growers experience.
Lala Star excels at fresh eating, where its high sugar content and rich flavor shine with no preparation needed. These cherries also perform beautifully in baking, where their sweetness reduces the need for added sugar in tarts, clafoutis, and cakes. They preserve exceptionally well as jams and compotes, their natural sugar content contributing to good set and concentrated flavor in preserved forms.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bare-root trees in early spring before bud break, or in fall after leaves drop. Dig a hole wider than the root spread and set the graft union (if present) at or slightly above soil level. Backfill with soil, water thoroughly, and mulch around the base. Space trees 20 to 25 feet apart to allow for the mature spread of a standard cherry tree.
Harvest Lala Star when the cherries reach full deep red color and feel slightly soft to gentle squeeze, typically in mid to late summer. Taste one cherry to confirm sugar development has peaked; they should taste intensely sweet. Pick cherries with the stem attached by gently twisting or using pruners, as removing the stem creates an entry point for decay. Harvest frequently as fruit ripens to prevent overripening and splitting, and to encourage continued fruit set. These cherries will not continue to ripen after picking, so wait until fully ripe on the tree.
Prune Lala Star in late winter while dormant to establish an open center or vase-shaped canopy that allows light and air circulation through the fruiting wood. The semi-spur growth habit means the tree naturally produces abundant short branches with flower buds, so focus pruning on removing crossing or inward-facing branches and maintaining shape rather than aggressive heading back. Remove dead, diseased, or broken wood immediately. Avoid heavy pruning once the tree is in production, as you'll remove fruiting wood; light maintenance pruning is sufficient to keep the tree vigorous and accessible for harvesting.
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“Lala Star emerged from Bologna, Italy, where it was developed as an exciting new cultivar bringing together Italian cherry-growing tradition with modern self-fertile breeding. This newer variety represents a deliberate effort to create a cherry that not only tastes exceptional but also performs reliably in variable weather, addressing one of the perennial frustrations cherry growers face: losing fruit to rain cracking. Its arrival to gardens beyond Italy reflects growing recognition of its combination of productivity, flavor, and weather resilience.”